Football Association of
Ireland - FAI

FAI Introduction

The Football Association of Ireland - or
FAI - was founded in September 1921 as the governing body of Association
Football or soccer in the Republic of Ireland. Nearly 200,000 people play
soccer for Irish football clubs and schools throughout the country. A
further large number of people are involved as coaches, officials and
volunteers.

The function of the FAI is to promote,
encourage and develop all of these activities. The Association is very
involved in the training and education of players, coaches and officials
and the FAI attempts to improve soccer facilities and other services for
the benefit of all those involved in soccer in Ireland.

The FAI has primary responsibility for
all regulatory aspects of the game of soccer in the Irish republic. The
activities of the FAI include:

Promotion of soccer at
all age levels and with people of all backgrounds and abilities. The
aim is to make soccer as accessible as possible to the highest number
of people possible.

To
regulate soccer both on and off the football pitch under the auspices
of the Laws of the Game and the Rule of the Football Association of
Ireland

Sanction all competitive
football matches staged in the Republic of Ireland either directly
or through affiliated soccer leagues and football organisations

To oversee
appropriate application of the Association's disciplinary code and
system including the administration of refereeing within soccer in
Ireland.

To organise a wide range
of national soccer competitions in addition to Republic of Ireland
International matches at all levels, including friendly football matches

The FAI is affiliated to is affiliated
to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association,
or FIFA, and the Union of European Football Association, or UEFA. Along
with a number of regional and provincial leagues and organisations the
FAI organises all domestic Irish soccer competitions from the Eircom League
and the FAI Cup to the FAI Schools' 6-a-side football competition.

FAI Contact Details

Football Association of Ireland
National Sports Campus
Abbotstown
Dublin 15

Tel: +353 1 8999 500
Fax: +353 1 8999 501

Limited Liability Company No.: 17081

FAI Affiliate Organisations

The following Irish soccer bodies are affiliated
to the Football Association of Ireland.